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My dear friends Eddie and Erika have been facing a battle with infertility for years. For those who are not familiar with IVF (In vitro fertilization), it is a procedure that retrieves mature eggs from the female which are then fertilized in a lab for monitoring. The fertilized eggs/embryos are then transferred into the uterus. It is considered the most effective form of medical assistance for conception, but does not guarantee a live birth.
They have tried to keep their infertility battle private and began with the less invasive route of IUI (Intrauterine Insemination). After countless negative pregnancy tests and several failed rounds of IUI, they were told it was time to move forward with IVF due to Erika having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a common health problem caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones. One symptom of this conditions it that you rarely ovulate on your own, if at all.
As some of you may be aware, IVF is terribly expensive between the medications, procedures, traveling expenses to the fertility clinic, and other IVF related expenses. This can exceed $30,000 for just one transfer. They have struggled to afford this alone, but this is an outrageous expense to face for just about anyone.
While most of us were impacted by the COVID-19 closures initially by having to spend time at home, Erika and Eddie were faced with cancelled doctor appointments and cycles of IVF. Their hopes of becoming parents being placed on hold while others joke about getting pregnant due to the quarantine.
As most began a “New Normal,” they have been consumed with countless doctor visits, ultrasounds, blood tests, and fertility medications, on top of being completely drained, emotionally, physically and financially. They never once complained, they were just truly happy to have a chance to become parents again.
Anyone who has gone through infertility knows that this is a hard journey and having support of your loved ones, truly helps. If you can help monetarily or even contribute positive thoughts and prayers, it would mean the world to them.
Thank you <3
Eddie and Erika’s story in their own words:
Being married for nine years now, we have been asked countless times when we will be starting a family of our own, having to smile and simply say “soon.” All the while dealing with the emotional pain of infertility and simultaneously celebrating the pregnancy announcements and births of so many of our loved ones. This has been the most excruciating heartbreak we’ve ever know.
When we started to pursue growing our family, we knew it would not be necessarily easy but there truly is no preparation for what one faces when battling infertility.
Our first hurdle was PCOS, we were told that we may not be able to have a child but after continuous monitoring, appointments, and advanced medicine, there was still hope! We tried the less invasive IUI route, we had several failed cycles which led to a new type of heart break. Nothing can mentally prepare you on what to expect, but after each negative test result we felt defeated. After this, we needed to take a step break and mentally prepare ourselves for IVF come 2020.
IVF is our last hope and has been a whole new level of struggle. We began the process IVF (3rd assisted attempt) and everything was going smoothly until it wasn’t. This was due to complications including Ovarian Hyper stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) where fluid fills your abdomen and can go into your lungs. This includes number of additional and expensive requirements including monitoring and medications to try and reduce the swelling, limit the free fluid, and control the pain.
We are not ready to give up our hopes of becoming parents just yet! We are blessed to have the opportunity to share our story, or progress, and potential outcome with our loved ones! As we are mortified to be asking for help, especially during a time that is so hard for so many people, this is our LAST possible resort to have a chance at having a biological child of our own.
With Love and gratitude, Eddie & Erika
They have tried to keep their infertility battle private and began with the less invasive route of IUI (Intrauterine Insemination). After countless negative pregnancy tests and several failed rounds of IUI, they were told it was time to move forward with IVF due to Erika having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a common health problem caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones. One symptom of this conditions it that you rarely ovulate on your own, if at all.
As some of you may be aware, IVF is terribly expensive between the medications, procedures, traveling expenses to the fertility clinic, and other IVF related expenses. This can exceed $30,000 for just one transfer. They have struggled to afford this alone, but this is an outrageous expense to face for just about anyone.
While most of us were impacted by the COVID-19 closures initially by having to spend time at home, Erika and Eddie were faced with cancelled doctor appointments and cycles of IVF. Their hopes of becoming parents being placed on hold while others joke about getting pregnant due to the quarantine.
As most began a “New Normal,” they have been consumed with countless doctor visits, ultrasounds, blood tests, and fertility medications, on top of being completely drained, emotionally, physically and financially. They never once complained, they were just truly happy to have a chance to become parents again.
Anyone who has gone through infertility knows that this is a hard journey and having support of your loved ones, truly helps. If you can help monetarily or even contribute positive thoughts and prayers, it would mean the world to them.
Thank you <3
Eddie and Erika’s story in their own words:
Being married for nine years now, we have been asked countless times when we will be starting a family of our own, having to smile and simply say “soon.” All the while dealing with the emotional pain of infertility and simultaneously celebrating the pregnancy announcements and births of so many of our loved ones. This has been the most excruciating heartbreak we’ve ever know.
When we started to pursue growing our family, we knew it would not be necessarily easy but there truly is no preparation for what one faces when battling infertility.
Our first hurdle was PCOS, we were told that we may not be able to have a child but after continuous monitoring, appointments, and advanced medicine, there was still hope! We tried the less invasive IUI route, we had several failed cycles which led to a new type of heart break. Nothing can mentally prepare you on what to expect, but after each negative test result we felt defeated. After this, we needed to take a step break and mentally prepare ourselves for IVF come 2020.
IVF is our last hope and has been a whole new level of struggle. We began the process IVF (3rd assisted attempt) and everything was going smoothly until it wasn’t. This was due to complications including Ovarian Hyper stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) where fluid fills your abdomen and can go into your lungs. This includes number of additional and expensive requirements including monitoring and medications to try and reduce the swelling, limit the free fluid, and control the pain.
We are not ready to give up our hopes of becoming parents just yet! We are blessed to have the opportunity to share our story, or progress, and potential outcome with our loved ones! As we are mortified to be asking for help, especially during a time that is so hard for so many people, this is our LAST possible resort to have a chance at having a biological child of our own.
With Love and gratitude, Eddie & Erika
Organiser and beneficiary
Dorothy Sellergren
Organiser
Des Plaines, IL
Erika Kryger
Beneficiary